Royal Newcastle Aero Club

Private Pilot Licence

The Royal Newcastle Aero Club has been training private pilots since 1928. Situated on the New England Highway at Rutherford, our club is in a perfect position to begin your flying training over the picturesque Hunter Valley. Our highly experienced flying instructors and many thousands of flight hours undertaken by members every year, you will gain the most from your flying training at RNAC.

Having achieved your Private Pilot Licence you may undertake further training to gain an operational rating, or sport flying activities.

Operational ratings include Night Flying for example.

Flight Activities are more orientated toward sport flying such as aerobatics and formation flying.

Another advantage of the Private Pilot Licence is that it allows the pilot to train to fly larger and more complicated aeroplanes such as twin engine aeroplanes.  Holders of Recreational Pilot Licence’s are limited to four seat aeroplanes.

Royal Newcastle Aero Club Flight Training Tiger Moth Joy Flights

A Private Pilot Licence (PPL) authorises you to fly as pilot in command of an Australian aircraft for which you hold a rating, in private operations.

In order to exercise the privileges of your PPL, you will need to hold a CASA Class 2 medical certificate or higher. If you hold a PPL and decide to sit for a RAMPC (see earlier), you will be restricted to operating under the conditions of an RPL.

See the steps for achieving RPL. After you have completed that section of your training, you will then be trained in navigation sequences which include controlled airspace and controlled aerodrome endorsements. During this training you will need to sit a Civil Aviation Safety Authority administered theory exam. You may self-study for this exam, or we can assist you in a classroom environment. After completing the flight training syllabus, a recommendation flight will be undertaken to make sure that you are ready for your flight test.

The minimum legislative requirement is 40 hours; however you need to meet a required standard. The amount of hours required to meet this standard will vary with each individual and also depends on how often one flies, but on average this is met around the 60 to 70 hour mark. RNAC conducts PPL training in a Cessna 172 and you will be charged at the “PPL” training rate. Please see the attached price list for up to date cost information.

A PPL will allow you to fly cross country and in controlled airspace in any aeroplane for which you hold a class or type rating, anywhere in Australia. The PPL will be internationally recognised and, pending approval from some countries, allow you to do the same flying you are allowed to do at home.

You must hold the class or type rating for the aircraft you intend to fly. If you wish to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of a multi crew operation, you must also complete training in multi crew cooperation.

A flight review is required once every 2 years, however in order to carry passengers you will need to have completed 3 take-offs and landings within the 90 days previous to the day you intend to carry them.